"We are deeply pained by their support (of the F-35) because it would destroy the quality of life for our most vulnerable neighbors," said another speaker, Rabbi Joshua Chasan of the Ohavi Zedek synagogue in Burlington. "Common sense would direct the placement of these airplanes to airports with far fewer people in the vicinity."
Noting that the threatened neighborhoods included immigrant communities that have been welcomed by their neighbors, the rabbi underscored the irony in displacing these people with a useless war machine:
"Where is our hospitality now -- to bring in yet to be properly tested jets to fly over our new neighbors, raining upon them the roar of powerful engines of war as if refugees below were homesick for the fearsome sound of these instruments of war."
Rabbi Chasen spoke for himself and 14 other members of the local clergy who, some months ago wrote to their elected representatives expressing their concerns. They are still awaiting an answer.
Air Force Co. (Ret.)
Says Pentagon Policy Is "Hardware First, PeopleSecond"
Another, perhaps much larger group of innocent victims of the F-35 may be the hundreds of thousands of military and veteran families. According to Col. Greco:
"A few categories of people will pay way more than their fair share. The Pentagon intends to pay for the F-35 by cutting military personnel and by cutting military personnel benefits, including health care and benefits for military families".
"This is nothing new. The military has been paying for weapons systems by cutting people programs for decades. Hardware first, people second."
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